Governor Greg Abbott (R) is seeking investigations into Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport over religious facilities designed to accommodate Muslim travelers, warning that state and federal funding could be at risk.
Gov. Abbott directed a review of state grants awarded to entities operating airports across Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). He is asking officials to consider revoking active state grants and denying future funding if the airports are found to have violated laws prohibiting religious discrimination.
The governor also referred DFW and IAH to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation and enforcement.
The dispute centers on facilities for Islamic ablution, a ritual washing performed before prayer. DFW plans to install ablution facilities, while IAH has already installed one alongside an interconnecting prayer room.
Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others.
DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal. I've directed a review of all state grants to both airports for possible revocation, and referred DFW & IAH to USDOT for investigation.
Texas… pic.twitter.com/XY58WAKJ8N
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 14, 2026
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott asked the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to review the accomodations and take corrective action if necessary.
"These ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of population for special treatment based on religion. That is illegal," said Abbott.
Abbott argued that because airports are government-owned, providing religious accommodations in a way that favors one faith could violate constitutional protections.
The review could put airport funding and future state grants under scrutiny as officials determine whether the facilities comply with federal and state requirements.
